Finger-exerciser.



No. 818,332. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906. U. G. )ANSON. FINGER EXBROISBR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27.1905.

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Summits-L wibuzoou UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 17, 1906.

Application filed June 27, 1905. Serial No. 267,256.

T 0 (all whom it 'mcty concern:

Be it known that I, ULYSSES G. ANsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Park City, in the county of Salt Lake and State of Utah, have invented new and useful Improvements in Finger-Exercisers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to finger-exercisers designed especially for use by pianists or the like, and has for its objects to produce a simple inexpensive device of this character which may be readily applied, one wherein free movement of the fingers in fingering the keyboard is permitted, and one whereby the Wrist of the player will be effectually supported and the muscles of the fingers, especially of the fourth finger, thoroughly exercised and developed, thus to produce a firm and at the same time elastic touch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which will maintain the hand, fingers, and wrist of the pupil in the correct position which they should occupy while practicing upon or fingering the keyboard.

To these ends the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an exerciser embodying the invention and illustrating the same applied for use. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, 1 desi nates a main frame, preferably composed of springwire and formed from a single length of such material bent to produce an inner end bar 2, parallel side bars 3 terminating at their forward ends in relatively divergent portions 4, connected by a curved front bar 5, there being extended transversely between the bars 3 immediately in rear of the enlarged front portion of the frame a transverse connecting element 6, to which is secured a flexible attaching member or strap 7 Carried by the frame 1 is an auxiliary frame 8, likewise composed of a single length of spring-wire and comprising a pair of forwardly-divergent side portions or bars 9, having formed upon their inner ends loops or eyes 10, which pivotally engage the element 6 for connecting the auxiliary to the main frame, the bars 9 being merged at their forward ends into a verticallyuprising and transverselyextending arched portion 11, the top bar 12 of which constitutes a guide for a purpose which will hereinafter appear, there being formed at the ends of said guide stops 13 and at the point of juncture of the arched portion with the frame 8 oppositelydisposed and transverse inwardly-extending recessed portions or ears 1 1, constituting seats for engagement with the ends of a flexible cushioning member or strap 15.

Slidably engaged at their inner ends with the divergent bars 9 by means of eyes 15 is a plurality, preferably four, of finger members 16, composed of spring-wire and bent between their ends to provide eyes 17, whichslidably engage the guide rod or portion 12, the outer terminals of the members 16 being shaped to form rings or loops 18, designed to receive, respectively, the fingers of the player, attention being directed to the fact that the finger member 16 which corresponds to and is adapted for engagement with the fourth finger is additionally strengthened by means of a supplemental spring element or wire 19, having its terminals looped around and engaged with the said member 16 at points adj acent the inner and outer ends of the latter. It is further to be observed that a pair of the members 16 is engaged atits inner endswith each of the side portions 9 of the auxiliary frame 8, while the rings 18 are equipped with an appropriate soft covering 20 to prevent callousness and stiffening of the fingers.

In practice the fingers of the operator are inserted through the rings 18 for bringing the latter to a position adjacent the second joints, while the cushioning member 15 is seated upon the back of the operators hand over the knuckles, the strap 7 being there after engaged with the forearm at a point adjacent the wrist. Under these conditions the bar 2 of the frame 1, which, as seen in Fig. 1, arches upwardly throughout its length, rests upon the forearm at a point back of the wrist, and owing to the spring action of the frame serves, through the medium of the strap 7, to afford support for the wrist of the player, while at the same time the finger members 16, through their spring action and during the fingering of the keyboard, thoroughly exercise the muscles of the fingers for strengthening the operators touch and at the same time rendering the latter elastic. It may be mentioned in this connection that great difliculty has been experienced heretofore in exercising and imparting the proper freedom of movement to the fourth finger, and in order that the proper amount of exercise for this purpose may be obtained I have, as heretofore explained, imparted additional strength to the appropriate finger member 16-by means of the auxiliary spring element 19.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a device of the class described, a mainframe, an attaching device carried thereby, an auxiliary frame provided with a guide portion and having side portions, a plurality of spring-finger members connected with the side portions of the auxiliary frame and slid- 'ably engaged with the guide portion, said members being adapted for free independent movement in a direction transversely of the frame, and means for engaging said members with the fingers of an operator.

2. In a device of the class described, a main frame composed of spring material and arched in the direction of its length, attaching means disposed intermediate the'ends of said frame, an auxiliary frame including an elevated guide portion, a pliable member extending transversely of the auxiliary frame adjacent the guide portion, and a plurality of spring-finger members engaged with the auxiliary frame and slidably engaging the guide portion, said members being adapted for independent movement in a direction transversely of the frame, and means for engaging said members with the fingers of an operator.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ULYSSES G. ANSON.

Witnesses:

RoBr. M. THOMSON, F. SMITH. 

